They are reported to bite humans, with effects including a red mark, and local itchiness, swelling and pain.

Although ulcers and necrosis have been attributed to the bites, a scientific study by Isbister and Gray (2003) showed they had other causes, mostly infections.

A study of 130 white-tailed spider bites found no necrotic ulcers or confirmed infections.

The species name cylindrata refers to the cylindric body shape, while murinus means "mouse-gray" in Latin.

L. cylindrata lay pinkish eggs which are enclosed in a flattened silk capsule and are guarded by the female until they hatch.

[6] They live in gardens and inside houses, beneath bark and rocks, in leaf litter and are often found in the folds of clothes, towels and shoes.

A common perception is that white-tailed spider bites can be associated with long term skin infections, and in rarer cases progression to necrosis.

The issue of necrosis in some bite cases in published studies begins with a paper presented at the International Society on Toxinology World Congress held in Brisbane in 1982.

Following this initial report, numerous other cases implicated white-tailed spiders in causing necrotic ulcers.